Tidal Energy

Introduction
Tidal Energy Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower
that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power - mainly
electricity.
Tides are the waves caused due to the gravitational pull of the moon and
also sun (though its pull is very low). About 70% of the tide production is
from the moon and 30% from the sun.
The surface water of the ocean pulled away from the earth on the side
facing the moon. At the same time, solid earth is pulled away from the water
in the opposite direction, causing tides to occur.
As the earth rotates, the position of a given area with respect to moon
changes and also do the tides.
Ocean tides are the periodic rise and fall of ocean water level occurs twice
in each lunar day. During one lunar day (24 H) the ocean water level rises
twice and fall twice. Time interval between a consecutive low tide and high
tide is 6 hrs. Tidal range is the difference between the consecutive high tide
and low tide.
How it works
During high tide, the water flows into the dam and during
low tide, water flows out which result in turning the turbine.
 Two tidal cycle (i.e., two high tides and two low tides) occur during a
lunar day of 24 hrs and 50 minutes.
Thus, time taken between high tides and low tides at a given location
is little over 6hrs.
High tide for earth position directly under the moon. Diametrically
opposite position on earth surface will experience high tide due to
dynamic balancing.
Therefore, high tide occurs on full moon and no moon days. This is
called a semi diurnal tides.
12h 25 min
 The difference between high and low water levels is called the range
of the tide(R). So,
R = Water elevation at high tide water elevation at low tide

29.5 days
Neap Tides
Moon and sun are perpendicular to Bulging
each other
Effect
Weak currents, lower tidal ranges
Occur during quarter moons
Main features of tidal power is the
difference between the water surface
elevation at the high tide and low
tide.
A typical mean range is roughly
one third of the spring range.
Tidal Power Plant
Three main components
The power House: Turbines, Electric Generators, Auxiliary equipment
The dam or barrage to form pool or basin: Function is to form a barrier
between the sea and basin
Sluice-ways from the basins to the sea and vice-versa: Used either to
fill the basin during the high tide or empty the basin during low tide,
as per operational requirement. These are gate controlled devices.
Advantages of Tidal Energy
1. It is an inexhaustible source of energy.
2. Tidal energy is environment friendly energy and doesn't produce
greenhouse gases.
3. As 71% of Earths surface is covered by water, there is scope to generate
this energy on large scale.
4. We can predict the rise and fall of tides as they follow cyclic fashion.
5. Efficiency of tidal power is far greater as compared to coal, solar or wind
energy. Its efficiency is around 80%.
6. Although cost of construction of tidal power is high but maintenance
costs are relatively low.
7. Tidal Energy doesnt require any kind of fuel to run.
8. The life of tidal energy power plant is very long.
9. The energy density of tidal energy is relatively higher than other
renewable energy sources.
Disadvantages of Tidal Energy
1. Cost of construction of tidal power plant is high.
2. There are very few ideal locations for construction of plant and they too
are localized to coastal regions only.
3. Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be damage to power
generation units.
4. Influences aquatic life adversely and can disrupt migration of fish.
5. The actual generation is for a short period of time. The tides only happen
twice a day so electricity can be produced only for that time.
6. Frozen sea, low or weak tides, straight shorelines, low tidal rise or fall are
some of the obstructions.
7. Usually the places where tidal energy is produced are far away from the
places where it is consumed. This transmission is expensive and difficult.
Indias Potential
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy made an assessment of the
potential of tidal energy in India,
it is estimated that the country can produce 7000 MW of power in the Gulf of
Khambhat in Gujarat,
1200 MW of power in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat (tidal range is 7.5m.)
about 100 MW of power in the Gangetic delta of Sundarbans (Houghly river) in West
Bengal.
Gulf of cambay ( Bhavnagar Sonrai) : tidal range is 10.8m.
World Potential
Globally there are only four countries which have tapped the tidal energy and are
generating power through tidal energy.
The first country to start generating electricity using tidal energy was France, that
began the La Rance Tidal plant in 1966 of 500 GWh (annual output).
The Shiwa Lake Tidal plant in South Korea is the largest tidal power plant in
operation with a capacity of 254 MW.
The other places where tidal power is used to generate electricity include Canada (20
MW), China (3.2 MW) and Russia (0.4 MW).
Indias Potential